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Question for written answer E-002959/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Konstantinos Arvanitis (GUE/NGL), Dimitrios Papadimoulis (GUE/NGL), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Dietmar Köster (S&D), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Alexis Georgoulis (GUE/NGL), Petros Kokkalis (GUE/NGL), Stelios Kouloglou (GUE/NGL), Elena Kountoura (GUE/NGL), Sira Rego (GUE/NGL), Manu Pineda (GUE/NGL), Nikolaj Villumsen (GUE/NGL), Pernando Barrena Arza (GUE/NGL), Idoia Villanueva Ruiz (GUE/NGL) Subject: Greek Government granting secret funds to its Ministry of Asylum and Migration The Greek Ministry of Asylum and Migration has submitted a bill on migration entitled ‘Improvement of immigration legislation, amendment of provisions of laws 4636/2019 (A ‘169), 4375/2016 (A’ 51), 4251/2014 (A ‘80) and other provisions.’ In its Article 55, the bill introduces the possibility of the Ministry managing secret funds, allocated both domestically and abroad, for ‘confidential national purposes’ under the vague reasoning of protecting ‘national security’. After numerous objections, the Ministry proceeded to introduce a number of legislative corrections regarding the composition of the ‘Special Expenditure Committee’ and keeping the Greek Parliament informed about those funds. However, numerous concerns as regards transparency and accountability remain. 1. How will the Commission ensure that the use of these secret funds will be consistent with EU Law (i.e. in favor of the needs and rights of refugees and asylum seekers)? 2. How will EU financial support provided to Greece, intended to manage refugees and asylum seekers, be affected by the Greek Government’s stance on handling threats to ‘national security? 3. What exact actions does the Commission consider eligible under these funds, both in Greece and abroad, and will it monitor and seek accountability on the implementation of these secret funds? PE652.886v01-00.

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